Introduction: Setting Up Wireless Laser Cut Light Box Through Bluetooth (TfCD)

This instructable shows how to set up a wireless light to an Arduino UNO. The light is controlled trough an android phone via Bluetooth.

Materials

Hardware circuit:

  • Bluetooth HC-05 module
  • Logic level shifter
  • Condensator 1000 µF
  • Neopixel strip
  • Male/Male ‘extension’ jumper wires
  • Bread board

Lightbox:

  • Multiplex thickness 3 mm
  • Acrylic thickness 3 mm
  • CNC laser cutting machine

Software:

  • Illustrator
  • Arduino

Step 1: Creating the Laser Cut Lightbox

Light box:

The light box is made out of 3mm multiplex wood with living hinges. The box is cut out with a CNC laser cutting machine by the use of a 2D illustrator file. Through the pattern of the living hinges the wood can be bend and attached to the acrylic frosted sides. These allow for light to pass through without being able to look into the box.

The illustrator file can be downloaded below.

Step 2: ​Hardware Setup

The Bluetooth HC-05 module is set for 3.3 V. Arduino has a 5V supply output and needs a level shifter to lower the Voltage. Before connecting the neopixels to the circuit add a 1000 µF condensator otherwise the neopixels can be damaged. It is recommended to solder the connections to the pads on the neopixels. WARNING; increased precaution on precision, because of the tiny solder pads a connection to each other can be easily made.

In the Fritzing diagram the hardware setup is shown.

Step 3: Arduino Sketch

The goal of the light box prototype is used to notify users by the use of different types of light intensity. The goals is to connect the device to another device, such as a Android phone or computer. In this sketch there are four different cases set up with a duration of 15000 ms. The arduino sketch is programmed to perform the following functions through means of serial connection;

1 = On

2 = On-Off-On-Off

3 = Sinus

4 = Steps

All the components, light colour, duration or brightness can be adjusted to personal preferences. In this particular case a white light is used. The sketch can be downloaded below.

Step 4: Connecting the Lightbox to a Android Phone

The light box can be connected to an android phone by downloading the BlueTerm app. Connect the Arduino to a power supply. First, connect the phone trough the normal Bluetooth settings with the Bluetooth HC-05. Then run the app and follow the steps as shown in the illustration.

The Bluetooth HC-05 module is set with factory default settings, therefore the device automatically connects to another device.

How to change the default settings of the Bluetooth can be found in the following instructable;
https://www.instructables.com/id/AT-command-mode-of...

Step 5: Turn on the Light Box

The video below shows how the prototype works. The Blue Term app allows for the user to send commands to the bluetooth module in the prototype.By pressing 1,2,3 or 4 (followed by enter) a light sequence starts, according to the previously programmed arduino sketch

ENJOY!

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